The first Sunday of advent reminds us of the hope we have in Christ. In the days leading up to Jesus’ arrival, there wasn’t a great deal of hope among the Israelites. They had been occupied and oppressed by one empire after another. Their ways were being threatened, and their freedoms eroding. While they would have said they believed in the coming Messiah, their downcast faces would have made one question the truth of that statement. But when Jesus came—for those who believed—their hope came to life! God was now with them in the flesh, and suddenly the problems of the world seemed to matter much less.
Maybe you feel today a bit like the Israelites did all those years ago. The world around us is changing, and it doesn’t seem like it’s for the better. It would be easy to let frustration or discouragement take over. But take heart! Jesus is our hope! Whatever difficulties may be going on around us, let us always remember what Paul said in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Do we as Christians allow our attitudes to reflect the temporary struggles of the world or the eternal hope of Christ? Let this season of advent be our reminder that the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world!